Kid encounter

[Indy's mom]

There is a family that we have recently been encountering on our daily walks. We first met last week, when I was also dog-sitting Corinna our doberman buddy.

When walking mom was unloading her van from groceries, asked me if the dogs were 'people friendly'. I thought, good for her for asking! After I assured her they were, she came and gave them both scratches. Then came the kiddies.

Her toddler, about 2 or so was first. Sooooo cute! Both dogs just sat on their little nubbies as this adorable little one kept saying 'puppy!' over and over again and rubbing them down. Then came the big boys About 7 or 9 years old, the boys started talking baby talk to the dogs (nubs going faster now!!!!! but still sitting) the boys kept talking to each other like I wasn't even there. Look this one has a really smooth face (Corinna) and her hair is hard. This one has a wrinkly soft face, and really soft hair. On and on.

After a while I realized there was a voice calling them. Turns out Grandpa was on the porch. He looked very worried that one of these killers might eat the kids, but kids and dogs alike loved the whole thing.

I ran into them all again this afternoon while walking Indy. He recognized them almost a block away and started wiggling. Naturally, I made him sit for the kids again and we went thru all of the same. Even down to nervous Grandpa on the porch :rolleyes: Got to give these people credit though. Mom supervised and instructed. Grandpa may have been nervous but he was not nuts. Over all, I really respect the way they let their kids meet some 'big, potentially scary dogs'.

Another good day.

 

[nswain]

Good boy Indy for being so sweet to the kiddos
That's great that the mom did such a good job supervising her kids with Indy and Corinna... most parents I meet are oblivious! I have lost count of the kids who have just run over to pet Grumpy, their parents staring off into space like they don't even notice. I usually try to tell the kids about how to meet a new dog - ask first, be gentle, etc - but I think it goes in one ear and out the other. Especially cuz Grumpy is just all wiggles and patience even when the kids pull her ears and smack her head :o

 

[Indy's mom]

Good dogs!! That's awsome!

Do you find that more kids are interested/excited or scared?

I'm getting ready to move to a new city and that'll be Ariki's first home - LOTS of kids in the neighborhood. Should I expect people to be bit nervous once he's big? People were always scared of the pittmix that my ex and I had but I would have thought boxers werent scary!

The kids and mom were very interested/excited. Grandpa very reserved. After all, these are two big dogs, me...not so much. But as I said, mom gave very clear instructions and reinforced to the boys that they should listen to what I said. I really appreciated that. She's doing a great job letting her kids know how ANY dog should be approached and that not all of them are going to be happy, silly, friendly guys.

I especially liked that she asked first if the dogs should be approached at all. Kudos to that mom! appicon Her kids were clearly happy and not at all reserved but listened to both mom's instructions and mine. They also asked lots of questions in between the baby talk to the dogs and had lots to tell me about their past dog experiences.

 

[Chiefsmom]

appicon Way to be a good boy around the kiddies!!! appicon I love that boxers are so great with kids!!!!! :D

 

[simmons]

Oh that's wonderful!! When we walk our boys, we get the " You kids stay clear away from those dogs you hear me?" Or, grab the child by the arm and run in doors before we catch up to them. :rolleyes:

That bothers me, there's nothing that Crash wants more than to lick these little children's faces. :confused:

I'm glad to see some people out thier with common sense are still living

 

[RoxiesEcho]

Of course I've heard everyone say that boxers are instinctly good with kids and Bella has shown us that first hand. We don't have kids and our youngest niece is 15 so she seldom has contact with young ones. But when she does, her demeaner around them AMAZES me. A few weeks ago at a park 2 kids maybe 5 & 6 were playing with their parents. I kept hearing them mention the puppies (Bella and my mom's dog Luke) Finally they walked up to us with their dad who told them to ask us if they could pet the dogs. Bella calmly stood with that little nub of hers wiggling madly and just soaked up all the attention they could give her - she was wonderful! Just last week-end she ran clear across our yard to the garage because she could hear kids giggling on the radio!

 

[natrhymer]

That's so great! People usually steer clear of us in the neighborhood; I've learned to shrug it off. Dieter's near twin, Gage, used to lived around the corner from us. One day, we were walking by Gage's house and a woman and little girl (maybe two years old) were outside. The little girl started screeching "Gage! Gage!" and toddled over. We had only had Dieter for about six months at that point, and we hadn't brought him around kids at all (although the rescue said he was good with kids). To my surprise, Dieter just sat down and waited for her to get to him, and then let her poke and pull on his face for 10 minutes! The little girl could not be convinced that Dieter wasn't Gage -- it was really cute.

I think that boxers are just great with kids -- actually, I've heard that most of the larger breeds are.

Good boy, Indy!

 

[KrisBoxerMom]

That is great, good doggies!

It is so refreshing to see a parent take some time with their kids to show them how to meet a dog the right way. So many kids come running to pet my heard with out asking, but they eat it up.

For you with kids, have you ever been out walking, at the park or what ever, and your kids bolt for a dog they want to pet. You have to stop them, remind them of the right steps to take first, Just to have the dog owner tell the kids they do not have to let the dog take a sniff first? Some dog owners I meet act like I am nuts when I remind my kids to let the dog sniff them first, be gentle, and so on.

 

[Slobberchops]

What good furkids,Indy and Corinna,well done for being so good around the kidsMind you,I expected to hear nothing less

 

[My Boxer]

Dogs and kids are a perfect match!